HLAS

The government has launched a consultation on a new process employers will need to follow when managing flexible working requests. Since COVID, there has been a significant shift towards flexible, remote and hybrid working. While this brings benefits, it is not always practical in every role. The Employment Rights Act will introduce changes making it more likely that flexible working requests are approved, although employers will still be able to refuse them in certain circumstances. Since April 2024, employers have been required to consult with employees about such requests, but no formal process has been specified. The government now intends [...]

Even when a business is performing well financially, it is not uncommon to feel uncertain about personal finances. For many business owners, wealth builds up gradually and unevenly. You may have multiple pensions set up for tax purposes, personal investments from profitable years, and surplus cash retained in the business “just in case”. You may also be relying on the future sale of the business. Income can fluctuate year to year, tax rules change, and financial decisions are often driven by business needs. This can make it difficult to see the full personal financial picture. Start by bringing everything together [...]

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued a call to action for business leaders to strengthen resilience against severe cyber threats. Its Annual Review 2025 highlights a growing gap between the increasing pace of cyber threats and the UK’s ability to respond effectively. Although the guidance is primarily aimed at larger organisations, cyber risks affect businesses of all sizes. The NCSC warns that when a cyber incident occurs, it is often too late to decide how to respond. Preparing in advance can help businesses continue operating during disruption and recover more quickly. Consider questions such as: If your website [...]

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that unemployment in the three months to February declined to 4.9%, down from 5.2%. However, Liz McKeown, director of economic statistics at the ONS, commented: “Alongside falling unemployment, the number of people not actively seeking work increased, with data suggesting fewer students seeking work alongside their studies.” The inactivity rate, which measures the proportion of people not looking for work, rose to 21% from 20.7%. If more people are choosing not to seek employment, it may indicate limited opportunities or concerns about job quality. It is unclear whether this [...]

Apple announced last week that Tim Cook will step down as chief executive on 1 September 2026, passing the role to current head of hardware engineering, John Ternus. Cook will continue to play an active role as executive chairman. If you are a business owner or founder, you have likely considered who will take over when you decide to step back or retire. Apple described its leadership transition as “a thoughtful, long-term succession planning process”. So, what insights can business owners take from Apple’s approach? Succession planning takes time – start early One clear takeaway is that succession planning should [...]

At the end of April 2026, new legislation will come into force aimed at addressing concerns about losing benefits support if employment does not work out. For many disabled individuals and those with long-term health conditions, the risk of triggering a benefits reassessment can discourage them from pursuing work or volunteering. The new legislation seeks to address this issue. From the end of April, starting employment will no longer automatically trigger a benefits reassessment for individuals receiving:• New-style Employment and Support Allowance.• Personal Independence Payment.• The health element of Universal Credit. The new rules also ensure that volunteering, often a [...]

The government has released further draft legislation relating to the UK’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which will affect importers of certain carbon-intensive goods into the UK. The latest draft provisions address the calculation of embodied emissions, a key component in determining CBAM liability, as well as the monitoring and verification of emissions data. The consultation period runs until 21 May 2026. Alongside the draft legislation, a policy summary has also been published, offering businesses a helpful overview of how CBAM is expected to operate. CBAM is scheduled to come into force on 1 January 2027. Its purpose is to [...]

With Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax coming into force from 6 April 2026, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has been writing to taxpayers in recent weeks to inform them that they are being brought into the regime. MTD became mandatory from 6 April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with total turnover exceeding £50,000 in the 2025/25 tax year, unless an exemption applies. It involves maintaining digital records and submitting quarterly updates to HMRC. Some taxpayers may have received their ‘mandation’ letter only a few days before the start of the tax year. If you have received such [...]

If you are considering selling your business, whether that is in six months or six years, one of the first questions you are likely to ask is, “what’s it worth?” While there are various formulas used to estimate the value of a business, ultimately the answer comes down to the judgement of a prospective buyer, who will weigh up the risks and potential returns of acquiring your business. Many business owners focus on the headline profit figure. While profit is clearly important, it is only one part of the overall picture. Buyers will look closely at how sustainable those profits [...]

New employment rights introduced in April 2026 mean that Northern Ireland is the first jurisdiction in the Northern Hemisphere to provide specific support for miscarriage and early pregnancy loss. New entitlementThe new entitlement for miscarriage means that an employee in Northern Ireland who experiences a miscarriage, or an individual with a defined connection to a woman who has experienced a miscarriage, will qualify for Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay. No medical evidence is required to access this leave. Employees simply need to submit a written self-declaration, including their name and the date the miscarriage occurred or was discovered. This means [...]